The format of the piece is a
tunnel book, formerly called a Peep show, these originate from the mid 18th
– fitting because Bombus Cryptarum was first written about in 1775 by J C
Fabricius.

Bombus Cryptarum is so named
because of the difficulty identifying it as discrete species; recent research
papers cite stereomicroscopy for identification. The need for close
examination led me to utilise microscope slides for the construction of this
piece. Most date from the late1960s with a few newer slides included with
pollens from UK plants are present; heather stamens and petals also feature.

The
Cryptic Bumblebee is relatively widespread in the UK, throughout northern
Europe, Russia and Alaska. Upland
areas are the preferred habitat, with a proclivity for Heather, Blackthorn,
Bilberry and Mountain Birch so I have featured these in the peep show layers.